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NFL Notebook Week 8: Midseason awards, Trade Deadline dud and more

By Zach Cohen

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 27: Nick Bosa #97 and Solomon Thomas #94 of the San Francisco 49ers react after sacking Kyle Allen #7 of the Carolina Panthers (not pictured) during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 27: Nick Bosa #97 and Solomon Thomas #94 of the San Francisco 49ers react after sacking Kyle Allen #7 of the Carolina Panthers (not pictured) during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MO – OCTOBER 27: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers throws a pass down field against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second quarter at Arrowhead Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – OCTOBER 27: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers throws a pass down field against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second quarter at Arrowhead Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /

One Last Thing

I was tempted to make playoff predictions, but awards seemed more fun:

Most Valuable Player: Aaron Rodgers (Runner up: Russell Wilson)

All-world quarterback? Check. Top team? Check.

That could be all I say, but I have to fill up the slide. Rodgers has 16 touchdowns and only two interceptions, the second-best rate behind Patrick Mahomes and Russell Wilson with 17 each. He also has the second-most passing yards behind Jared Goff.

Coach of the Year: Kyle Shanahan (Matt LaFleur)

I mean, he’s the coach of an undefeated team that’s NOT New England. I gushed about the new-look 49ers a couple of weeks ago and their win over Carolina solidified my enjoyment of them. Any team that can run the ball well can win any game, as obvious as that may sound. Likewise, LaFleur has a real case for this award, too. Both coaches have found effective ways to use their running backs and helped foster a rising defense.

Offensive Player of the Year: Christian McCaffrey (Aaron Rodgers)

I could simply point you to my comments on McCaffrey from earlier in the month, or I’ll just show you how dominant McCaffrey has been since then. He has the fourth-most rushing yards, second-most rushing touchdowns and third-most receiving yards among running backs. Excluding a handful of quarterbacks, no one is doing more for his offense than McCaffrey is.

Defensive Player of the Year: Nick Bosa (Joey Bosa)

The Bosa family must be so proud. I just can’t think of anyone who’s been more impactful on defense than Nick Bosa. The second-overall pick half a year ago, Bosa’s latest performance is further proof that Bosa is in a class of his own. After all, the only rookie to win Defensive Player of the Year was the great Lawrence Taylor.

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Gardner Minshew (Josh Jacobs)

While there isn’t immense competition among other rookies, Minshew’s play over the last few weeks has solidified Minshew as more than just Jacksonville’s starter of the future. Only two picks and one scoreless game are very impressive for a sixth-round pick.

Next. 20 Bold predictions for NFL Week 9. dark

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Nick Bosa (Brian Burns)

See Defensive Player of the Year.

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